6 Hot Tips For Avoiding Frozen Pipes In The Winter

Low winter temperatures can cause freezing in your plumbing and result in burst water pipes. As water freezes, it expands and exerts a lot of pressure. Water supply pipes in garages, attics, crawl spaces and along exterior walls are most at risk.

6 Hot Tips For Avoiding Frozen Pipes In The Winter

It is important to take these 6 hot tips for avoiding frozen pipes in winter early enough. This is because frozen pipes are a common cause of flooding, mold, and extensive water damage. Here are the 6 hot tips for avoiding frozen water pipes in the winter.

1.Winter proof your home before you travel

If you go on holiday, take extra care to follow these hot tips for avoiding frozen water pipes in the winter. This is because any damage that occurs can continue unchecked for weeks before you return.

Shut off the main supply valve and drain water from pipes by opening your faucets and flushing every toilet. You should also drain water from the heater. Have non-toxic antifreeze put inside drains and water traps as an extra precaution.

2.Drain outside supply pipes

The freeze in outdoor supply lines can spread into the home and freeze indoor pipes. These pipes should be drained after closing the shut-off valves that supply them.

Keep the outside valves open to allow any remaining water to expand if it freezes. Garden hoses should also be disconnected, drained and stored away.

3.Insulate exposed pipes

Among these hot tips for avoiding frozen pipes in the winter, using insulation is the most important. Pipes in the heated areas of the home such as basements rarely freeze. However, those in unheated locations such as crawl spaces and attics freeze often.

This can be avoided by using foam pipe insulation, which keeps the heat in and the cold out. This is especially important for pipes that run along exterior walls.

4.Insulate pipes within walls

If you have pipes located in under-insulated walls, they are at great risk of freezing and bursting. This will damage wall paint and also cause mold. Have a plumber open the walls and install extra insulation, or even reroute the pipes through heated areas.

5.Install a heater cable

Heater cables or tapes run along the exposed pipe or wrap around it. They can be purchased at the local electrical supply store. They provide heat to the pipe throughout winter to prevent it from freezing.

You can also turn up the thermostat to provide extra heat to the entire home. The heat will travel through the floor and walls into unheated areas where water pipes are located.

6.Close garage doors and open cabinets

Keep garage doors closed to keep out the cold, which can freeze pipes that are located inside. You should also open kitchen and bathroom cabinets if there are water pipes running in them. This will allow warm air circulating in the house to heat the pipes.

These 6 hot tips for avoiding frozen pipes in winter will save you from expensive damage caused by burst pipes. They are simple to implement, and will make all the difference when the winter weather comes.